Quake off Kamchatka Spurs Tsunami Alerts for Hawaii and U.S. West Coast

A powerful offshore earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has prompted the U.S. Tsunami Warning System to issue a tsunami warning for the state of Hawaii and separate tsunami advisories for broad stretches of North America’s Pacific coastline. As of early Wednesday local time, advisories covered California, Oregon and Washington, while additional alerts were in effect for South Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and Canada’s British Columbia. The agency cautioned that hazardous tsunami waves could reach coastlines, urging residents to stay clear of beaches and low-lying harbor areas. Authorities reported no immediate damage but said sea-level gauges were being closely monitored. The warnings and advisories remain in force until the agency confirms that the threat has passed.